Carlisle United impressed in their 2-0 victory at Tranmere Rovers – but what did we learn from the game? Let’s take a closer look…
1 DENNIS THE MENACE
A mark of his form is that Kristian Dennis’ four-game wait for a goal before Saturday was his longest of the season so far.
It took him 39 seconds at Prenton Park to end that, and then he got another from the penalty spot in the second half to wrap up United's win.
As impressive as United’s overall game was at Prenton Park, the value of an expert and in-form finisher can never be underestimated.
Dennis’ instincts were sharp to sniff out the Jack Stretton cross for that early opener, and he scored the spot-kick without any fuss whatsoever.
It is ten now for the season from the experienced striker, each one put away inside the 18-yard box, and overall he’s averaging a goal every 134 minutes.
With 30 league games to go, plus a minimum of one in the FA Cup, Dennis is on early track to be United’s first 20-goal-a-season man since Karl Hawley in 2005/6.
He remains very much at the forefront of their encouraging efforts.
2 POINTS MAKE PRIZES
One of Paul Simpson’s predecessors, Keith Curle, always used the 16-game stage as the first marker of a season.
So now we’re at that point, what can we make of United’s output?
They’re on 27 points, which is the third best return from the opening 16 games of a league campaign in the past decade.
Only Curle’s 2016/17 team (31 points) and Chris Beech’s 2020/21 side (29 points) enjoyed a better start in that period.
Both those sides serve as warnings that a good beginning doesn’t offer any guarantees, given that Curle’s men mislaid an automatic promotion chance and then fell in the play-offs, while Beech’s table-toppers declined to mid-table.
All the same – United’s efforts so far show that they are, broadly speaking at least, in the running, and with something good to build on.
Another impressive feature is that United are three points better off now than they were at the 16-game stage of Simpson’s last full season in charge – 2005/6, when they went on to win the League Two title.
Carlisle’s form grew formidably from autumn onwards that campaign. No need to get carried away and anticipate the same this time. But the numbers, so far, do reflect well.
3 HE’S ALRIGHT, JACK
It was another fine showing from Jack Ellis as he came back into the United side at Prenton Park.
Illness to Fin Back meant a latest opportunity for the Staveley teenager – and he certainly took it in the right wing-back position, standing out both defensively and going forward.
The 19-year-old never looks overawed by the League Two occasion and, considering he’s only made six league starts, is an impressively reliable deputy when Simpson needs him.
The emerging question from this is whether Ellis now deserves a run in the side.
Back has been an outstanding loan signing, and one would expect him, once fit, to reclaim his place quickly.
All the same: there is surely a growing case for Ellis to be challenged to keep the shirt, or at least for United's manager to give this more consideration than before.
Simpson gave Corey Whelan a fair run after he impressed when stepping in earlier in the campaign. Does Ellis, no matter Back's high quality, deserve the same licence now?
4 HUNTING FOR SCRAPS
That was Tranmere’s fate on Saturday thanks to a mightily impressive Carlisle United defensive effort.
Each player in the back line did his bit, but it was no surprise that United looked more solid for the return of Paul Huntington.
Back in the side after a minor injury, the big Cumbrian took total command against Micky Mellon’s team.
Aerially, he reigned supreme. Based on WhoScored.com stats, Huntington won 12 of his contests in the air - three more than the man with the next most (Morgan Feeney) - whilst making interceptions, tackles and clearances aplenty.
Some of what he brought can’t be tallied up in numbers, either. It came in the broader setting of tone.
Mellon’s strikers, Elliott Nevitt and Kane Hemmings, knew they were getting absolutely no freebies when the ball was sent forward and Huntington was competing for it.
There was no opportunity for the home strikers to build a platform, no little wins they could take.
Hemmings’ movement off the front line was an occasional threat but he never got into real danger zones – while Nevitt was totally tamed.
Simpson wants Huntington to give the Blues three years. On Saturday’s evidence, you can see why.
5 CUMBRIAN PRIDE
It has been noted that United had four Cumbrians in their starting line-up for the first time in the league since 2015.
Huntington and Ellis we have already discussed. The other two deserve compliments, too.
This was not a game when Owen Moxon claimed the headlines. It was, though, another afternoon when his graduation to this level of football was underlined.
United’s midfield had the better of Tranmere’s pretty much all game. Alongside Callum Guy, Moxon was prominent in this – covering ground, using the ball with measured quality.
It was an excellent, responsible 90-minute showing from the Denton Holme favourite, who looked a League Two midfielder of substance.
And then there’s Taylor Charters. What an impressive return to the XI this was for the Maryport man.
His previous league start came more than a year ago, at Newport under the caretaker management of Gavin Skelton.
Saturday was one of those occasions when Simpson acts on a hunch (see Jon Mellish’s instant return to defence last season) and receives the dividends.
In Jordan Gibson's absence to suspension, Charters attacked his opportunity with the right intent and with encouraging confidence. A role on the left of an attacking three gave him more freedom than previous wing-back or central midfield outings.
The 21-year-old helped Carlisle build some dominance on that side, almost setting up a goal for Dennis, nearly getting one himself, looking alert with his movements and also, significantly, winning seven aerial challenges (only Feeney and Huntington won more) to help United set up camp in Tranmere’s half.
Simpson may now feel he can trust Charters in that particular role and don’t be surprised if he gets another go against the same opponents in the FA Cup next weekend.
READ MORE: Carlisle United stars in team of the week
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